Nunquam Derelicta - Never Abandoned

A visual journey to discover the spirit of Venice

There is something mystical and at the same time wordly behind the motto Nunquam Derelicta (“Never Abandoned”) carved on the walls of the Palazzo Ducale in Venice that perhaps represents the spirit of a unique city in the world more than anything else. Venice has survived sieges and invasions, clashes of power and pestilence. La Serenissima lived moments of glory and an unparalleled cultural and artistic splendor and inaugurated a new model of civilization based on courage, sharing, progress. Today the inhabitants of Venice tend more and more to leave the city to move on land, in the nearby cities. And yet, in the heart of every Venetian there is an unconditional and sincere affection for this city.

A city never abandoned by the love and admiration of the whole world.

Start Your Journey

The pastel color of the old buildings faded from the Sun, the dazzling gold of a summer sunset, the vibrant atmosphere of the Carnival, the reflections of lights on the Canals or the colorful fireworks of the Redeemer’s Feast: in every moment of the year Venice knows how to wear a new dress, a new mask, mixing fantasy and mystery, melancholy and joy.

Venice is an eternal stage where the revel of the earth – just to use Lord Byron’s words – is performed every day. It’s tough to describe this unique city without being influenced by postcard cliches. For this reason we decided to let eight local Instagrammers born and raised in Venice speak and describe with their own words and pictures the beauty of La Serenissima.

Let’s start our journey!

The pastel color of the old buildings faded from the Sun, the dazzling gold of a summer sunset, the explosion of joy of the Carnival, the reflections of lights on the Canals or the colorful fireworks of the Redeemer’s Feast: in every moment of the year Venice knows how to wear a new dress, a new mask, mixing fantasy and mystery, melancholy and joy.

Venice is an eternal stage where the revel of the earth – just to use Lord Byron’s words – is performed every day. It’s tough to describe this unique city without being influenced by postcard cliches. For this reason we decided to let eight local Instagrammers born and raised in Venice speak and describe with their own words and pictures the beauty of La Serenissima.

Jacopo De Michelis

Photographer

I have been living in Venice for 13 years and still, when I open the windows in the morning, I am struck by the splendor that fills my eyes. Venice is a city with many problems: the constant invasion of tourists, the high water, the inconvenience of not being able to use the car, the progressive depopulation. But, at least for the moment, the privilege of being able to enjoy every day of its timeless beauty and its magical and mysterious charm repay me of every difficulty. It’s hard to say which are my favorite places, because Venice is all beautiful. I like to wander the less touristy neighborhoods, Castello and Cannaregio, I love certain hidden corners and secrets where you happen by chance and then it is hard to find, I love when it is wrapped in the fog that immerses you in a dreamlike atmosphere.

Jacopo De Michelis on Instagram

Matteo Rastelli

Matteo Rastelli

Photographer

If I were to look for a word that replaces “music” I could think only of Venice, Nietzsche wrote. And that’s right. Venice is a symphony of colors, a concert of shapes and details that leave you astonished when you admire it for the first time. Venice is precious in every single corner: this is what I want to show with my photographies.

Matteo Rastelli on Instagram

Andrea Perrotta

Andrea Perrotta

Photographer

I am an authentic Venetian, born in the heart of Venice and I have always lived and breathed its ancient traditions. This deep love for my city has transformed a hobby I started just for fun, into a real passion. The corners of the city that I prefer to photograph the most are undoubtedly those far from the tourist noise, where you can still breathe all the Venetian essence; this is what I try to convey with my shots. Venice for me is to live a beautiful fairytale, where traditions and modernity come together every day. The Feast of the Redeemer is the apotheosis of the Venetian quintessence. I am particularly fond of this event: my dearest memories of this party are when I was a child and I used to go to the Palazzo Ducale accompanied by my uncle: an indelible memory in my heart.

Andrea Perrotta on Instagram

Riccardo Tosatto

Riccardo Tosatto

Photographer

Venice is one of the most romantic cities in the world; millions of tourists who visit the city every year are impressed by its elegance and uniqueness. Anyone who visits Venice for the first time is bound to come back, sooner or later and will find a different city and so every time, forever. The corners that I prefer most in Venice are the less known ones; it is through them that it is possible to feel the essence of this city. The Bridge of Sighs, Rialto, Dorsoduro, Cannareggio, the Academy and the tip of the Customs: these are places to visit for sure!

Riccardo Tosatto on Instagram

Laura Teso

Laura Teso

Travel blogger

Venice is like a dream to me. Breathtaking. So much that I can’t believe I’m actually there. And I always have the feeling that anything can happen at any moment, just like in a dream. I love its authentic side: the children playing in Campo Santa Margherita, the clothes lines hanging under the sun, the ladies talking on the doorway, the bacari along the rii of Cannaregio and the work of the artisans who struggle to keep ancient traditions alive. But I also love the splendor of the palaces of Canal Grande and the majesty of Piazza San Marco. Venice is like this: elegant and popular, superb and humble, magnetic and unforgettable. But above all unique.

Laura Teso on Instagram

Federico Puppin

Federico Puppin

Photographer and travel addicted

There are some places in Venice that I’m particularly fond of. The campiello del Remer, which overlooks the Grand Canal but is not easy to reach for those who do not know it, as it can only be reached through a narrow and hidden lane. The sunrise at Piazza San Marco, capable of revealing the true essence of Venice. I am fond of Venetian quintessence I can spot among the alleys, with the clothes to dry on the canals. The gondolas and their bow irons, which represent the sestieri of Venice, the Giudecca, the hat of the Doge, the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal. And then, to celebrate the Feast of the Redeemer by boat. One of the most loved traditions by the Venetians and inhabitants of the province. We Venetians live in a special way: we love to reach the San Marco basin with our boat together with families and friends, eat on board and celebrate while waiting for midnight, when we will witness a unique show in the world: the fires above Venice, in front of Piazza San Marco.

Federico Puppin on Instagram

Riccardo Rizzetto

Riccardo Rizzetto

Designer and photographer

Living in Venice is like being inside an encyclopaedia that you can read just by wandering around and getting lost in its small alleys called Calli. And every Calle takes you to a quintessential scenario, always unique and always so different. There is the craziness of St Mark’s area, the peacefulness of Cannaregio and Castello and the vibrant vibe of Dorsoduro which is the youngest part of the city. Here is where the University of Architecture, where all the major Architects from the modernism passed by, and the Academy of Fine Arts are. It is the right place to go and get inspired even just by talking with a student you just met having a Spritz in Campo Santa Margherita. Rialto area is another heart-eclipsing spot not-to-miss: the fish market is one of a kind as much as the view from Erbaria at sunset. Venice can teach a lot but especially one thing: sometimes it is only going with the flow that we can discover the best beyond the cliché.

Riccardo Rizzetto on Instagram

Giorgia Brisotto

Giorgia Brisotto

Photographer

Venice is a magical city, whatever the season. In winter the fog takes you to discover hidden places. In summer tourists embrace it, even too tight, but the city is always welcoming and ready to embed the world within itself. “The city on the water” is called, because there is no more fascinating and particular place in the world. The reflections of the fireworks mixed with those of the houses, offering a double show, in the sky and on the sea. Venice, city of art, of painting, design, photography, architecture. City of a thousand colors, a thousand ethnic groups, a thousand smiles.

Featured Hotels & Resorts

Browse our collection of unique hotels & resorts across Italy

Occupying a prestigious setting on the Grand Canal, The Gritti Palace was built in 1475 as residence of Doge Andrea Gritti. A leisurely short stroll from Piazza San Marco, the imposing palazzo awards rare views of Santa Maria della Salute.

With sweeping views of the sparkling Venice lagoon, the Hotel Danieli enjoys a particularly majestic location—just steps from the legendary Palazzo Ducale, dramatic St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, and the famed Bridge of Sighs.